Press release October 1, 2025

Micaiah Carter – Tender Heart offers a new perspective on legacy, memory and Black identity

Until January 18, the Amerikahaus Munich is showing works by 30-year-old American photographer Micaiah Carter, one of the most well-known young photographers in the field of portrait and fashion.

Presented by Amerikahaus and Prestel Verlag, the exhibition "Micaiah Carter – Tender Heart" alternates between archival and contemporary photographs, presenting a personal biography unfettered by boundaries or rigid definitions. This visual meditation is rich in symbolism and reflects the Black Power movement, filling a gap in the representation of Black people's experiences.

“I want my photography to be a high-quality platform for the representation of people of color that has never existed before,” Carter said.

Carter's photographic style, which blends contemporary youth culture, fine art, and street style, acts as a driving force for change through the portrayal of his subjects. The exhibition highlights his timeless aesthetic, which oscillates between domestic interiors and surreal stillness, a space where time stretches and folds. His images are preternaturally sophisticated.

"Across generations and through intimate gestures, this work traces a personal and collective journey—one where the past is not fixed but lives on in the present, embedded in our skin, our style, and our homes. I was born into a world of reinvention, and each image embodies this truth: Black identity is fluid, delicate, resilient, and constantly renewed," Carter said.

From Hollywood to social change – Carter makes a statement

Los Angeles and New York-based photographer and director Micaiah Carter quickly became one of the most recognized artists of his time. He has photographed celebrities such as Rae Jeremy O. Harris, Pharrell, Spike Lee, Kehinde Wiley, and Zendaya, and his work has been published in prestigious publications such as Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and others. His commercial clients include brands such as Nike, Apple, Ralph Lauren, and Valentino.

Page 1 of 5 / Press Release 01.10.2025 – Exhibition Micaiah Carter – Tender Heart at Amerikahaus Munich

Megan Simpson, Phone: +49 89 55 25 37-31, Email: presse@amerikahaus.de
Bavarian Amerikahaus Foundation gGmbH – Bavarian Center for Transatlantic Relations, www.amerikahaus.de

Alton in Brooklyn II, 2016
©Photograph courtesy of Micaiah Carter and Sarah Hasted - International Art Advisory, New York

He frequently photographs Black men and women to highlight the lack of representation on both sides of the camera. In addition to his photographic work, he is one of the founders of "See in Black," an artist collective that supports Black photographers and builds a community around Black visibility. His first monograph, What's My Name, was published by Prestel/Random House in 2023.

Public exhibition opening with artist talk

The exhibition opening is open to the public on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 7 p.m. Carter herself and Sarah Hasted of International Art Advisory New York will be present and give an artist talk. The managing director of the Amerikahaus, Dr. Meike Zwingenberger, and Curt Holtz of Prestel Verlag will deliver welcoming remarks.

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